Movie reviews

AFRYKAMERA ONLINE

THIS S NOT A BURIAL, IT'S A RESURRECTION

Watchable. Poetic narration - well translated into Polish - and painting-perfect images - owing to Pierre de Villiers' cinematography - depict mourning but also the sense of life. The movie's gloomy, slow-paced and the events not always comprehensible. Traditional songs from Lesotho and landscapes of this tiny yet evocative country grace the film. Mary Twala Mhlongo as Mantoa is aptly cast - her muscles show power in the shocking final scene.

THE SLEEPING NEGRO

Watchable. Another American feature at the festival. About a black American crazed by the ideas from "Get Out" to the point where he brings up the black issue everywhere, whether it has anything to do with the situation or not. "Saw" and "Uncle Tom's Cabin" references mean the cultural associations are quite broad, comprising the past and the present, and complex at the same time; even when you take "Saw", the black game is specific. What you see on TV is: "How did you get here?" "I was kidnapped." The word here is understood two-fold: kidnapped like slaves in the past and by the corporation now. The conclusion is: survive those who can best manage change. The film is visually attractive but overly philosophical.

ALOE VERA

Recommended. This Ghanaian comedy, shot in Dabala in the Volta Region, is much more than bewitching colours of the masterful set decoration and costumes. It's hilarious. With African chants, delightfully warm, superbly acted. Kofi Adjorlolo as Papa Aloe is the best comic actor, resembling Pascal N'Zonzi's character of André Koffi, the African father in "Qu'est-ce qu'on a fait au Bon Dieu?" ("Serial (Bad) Weddings"). The whole thing is meticulously enacted, up to the choreography along with the end credits. Totally uplifting.

Mojeekino.pl distorted colours - they still looked awesome but Aloe was purple rather than blue. No tech support over the holidays whatsoever - they got back to me about the films stuttering after the festival had ended.